What they do all day?
As quality standards get stricter, demand is growing for environmental engineers to help sample, analyze and design treatment systems for air, water and soil. Companies trying to meet these tougher standards also are hiring environmental engineers as consultants.

How to get the job?
A bachelor's in environmental engineering is ideal, but related engineering degrees -- mechanical, chemical, civil -- are desirable too. Consulting firms tend to look for a master's in environmental engineering.

What makes it great?
At a time when so many are worried about climate change, the job is a hands-on way to help improve the environment, one Superfund site at a time. Environmental engineers may choose to tackle larger issues such as global warming or focus on cleaning up a local site or contamination.

What's the catch?
As engineering pay goes, it's not the highest. Industry and government rules can slow things down, which can be frustrating
--K.A.

Quality of life ratings:

Personal satisfaction

Low stress

Benefit to society

Flexibility

B

C

B

B

Published: October 29, 2012

Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com. Median pay is for an experienced worker (at least five or seven years in the field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile. Job growth is estimated for 2010-20, and based on people working in broader 'job family' from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
*Total jobs is estimated number of people working in broader BLS 'job family.'

Sources:PayScale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNNMoney research

It's still a tough job market out there, so when CNNMoney and PayScale.com set out to find America's Best Jobs this year, first and foremost we looked for professions that offer great growth opportunities.
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